Ep. #11, Defining North Star Metrics with Che Sharma of Eppo
May 31, 2022
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Che Sharma, CEO of Eppo, shares insights on defining North Star metrics, scaling Airbnb's data culture, and leading data teams. Topics include data integration in product teams, evolving data culture, challenges in recruiting for data teams, and enhancing data trust for downstream consumers.
Integrating data into product teams enhances decision-making by hiring data experts with product knowledge.
Analyzing host pricing discrepancies at Airbnb showcases the impact of data professionals with a product mindset.
Centralizing data functions improves innovation by optimizing collaborative efforts and data-driven decision-making processes.
Deep dives
Data Integration and Collaboration with Product Teams
Encouraging data integration into product teams can signify a winning strategy for data professionals, emphasizing the need to hire data experts who understand product priorities. Establishing experimentation within data teams fosters a close relationship with product teams and metrics, enhancing decision-making abilities.
Driving Impact Through Data Analysis
Demonstrating impactful data initiatives, like analyzing host pricing discrepancies to improve profitability at Airbnb, highlighted the need for data professionals with strong product understanding. Hiring individuals with a product mindset can lead to innovative solutions, showcasing the power of integrating data analysis in product decision-making.
Organizational Structures for Data Teams
Centralizing data functions under one umbrella, encompassing data engineering, analytics, and machine learning, can bolster innovation within organizations. Transitioning from decentralized to centralized operations can optimize data-driven decision-making processes, enabling impactful collaborative efforts between data teams and other departments.
Key Points on Building a Data Team
Building a data team involves strategic decisions and uncertainties that require careful planning and execution. It is crucial to hire individuals with product thinking, communication skills, and a willingness to engage in all aspects of the data lifecycle. Early hires should be full-stack data scientists who can deliver impact and improve upstream systems simultaneously.
Importance of Data Quality and Decision Quality
Ensuring data quality and decision quality is essential for effective data analytics and product success. Organizations need to empower downstream consumers to quickly assess data quality through tools like data quality scorecards. Building a strong data culture involves prioritizing impact over data tools and establishing clear communication channels within the team.
In episode 11 of The Right Track, Stef Olafsdottir speaks with Che Sharma, CEO and Founder of Eppo. This conversation includes many unique insights from Che’s experience scaling Airbnb’s early data culture, as well as lessons on leading data teams, defining a good North Star metric, and leveraging experimentation tools.